Thanks for the great comments, everybody.
Steve:
I have a Tikka in 6.5x55 and if I am shooting 140s, Reloder 22 was what I found to be the best. If I was shooting 130s or less, Reloder 19 was the best. My last 100 yard 3 shot group could be covered with a nickel (full disclosure... I was using a lead sled). I was shooting 130 grain Sierra Game Changer. The 130 grain Sierra Game Changer is such an accurate bullet in my 6.5 that I have used it all this year during hunting season. Naturally, since I wanted to see how it worked on deer, I have so far been skunked.
I think Re 22 is going to be the powder for the SSTs. I still have some others to try, but there's not much point in re-inventing the wheel.
I've always liked the Swede..........especially a Tikka.......
SIL has this one now......still have a heavy target gun.
I should have bought an HB 6.5x55 years ago. I did own the precursor to the T3, a 595 or 695 Tikka, but I never got to use it much. I ending up trading it away.
Nice shooting and very nice rifle!!! My tikka swede is one fine shooter as well and one i wont part with!
This is a beautiful and desirable rifle,,it would cover all the bases here in Alaska,with brown bear being the exception.
Thanks guys. This was one of those finds that didn't fully reveal itself until I got it home. You always take a gamble buying used, but for whatever reason, this one appealed to me more than the others. I looked through quite a few before deciding on this one. The low price was a bonus, and possibility what kept others from grabbing it. "What's wrong with it?" In USD, it cost me $190, with a VG+ bore.
Fantastic looking rifle. Almost looks like a Vapen Depoten or Stiga sporting rifle conversion by the stock. I love those older Swedish sporting rifles in 6.5x55. Please keep us posted on your load development progress. My favorite caliber by far. I shoot a lot of the 156 grain bullets with great success in mine. Good luck to you.
I thought it looked like a professional rebuild. I asked in the Mauser section about the stock, but it is difficult to know for sure. I could not find any markings on it, so I am assuming it was a store purchase. Whoever rebuilt this rifle did a great job.
Going forward, I will try two other bullet weights - 120s and 156s. I like to compare flat base bullets to boat tails of the same weight, regardless of the cartridge.
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/AP39Jhm.jpg)
